Adam Armbrecht here, the host of the daily Locked On Nets podcast, with your daily Locked On Nets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Nets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Brooklyn Nets: Navigating Losses and Injuries with Resilience
Oct 16, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Dariq Whitehead (0) in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher/Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
As a Brooklyn Nets fan, the rollercoaster of emotions is something we’ve all come to expect. This past weekend was no exception, as the team faced back-to-back losses against the Orlando Magic. Despite the setbacks, there’s a silver lining in how the team continues to fight hard, even when the odds are stacked against them.
A Weekend of Challenges
The weekend kicked off with a tough 123-100 loss on Friday night, followed by another defeat on Sunday. These games highlighted the Nets’ challenges, especially when key players like Dennis Schröder and Cam Thomas are sidelined. Without these offensive facilitators, the team struggled to find its rhythm, scoring just 100 points against a strong defensive Magic lineup.
Brooklyn Nets Face Challenges Amidst Injuries and Lineup Changes
The Brooklyn Nets are navigating a challenging phase this season, marked by a string of injuries, which have impacted their performance. The latest coming in a loss Monday night to the Chicago Bulls, with a final score of 128-102. This was a widely expected outcome, with three of the Net’s top five scorers sidelined with injuries.
Injury Woes and Lineup Adjustments
The absence of crucial players like Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Cam Thomas, and Noah Clowney has left the Nets struggling to find their rhythm. The team started the season stronger than expected, but the lack of top talent on the court is beginning to show. With a lineup featuring Dennis Schröder, Tyrese Martin, Keon Johnson, Jalen Wilson, and Nic Claxton, the Nets are finding it hard to keep up with opponents, even those facing their challenges like the Bulls.
Despite the setbacks, the team continues to fight hard, showcasing the resilience of players who are often considered NBA cast-offs. However, the reality is that the current roster lacks the depth and talent needed to compete at a high level consistently. The NBA is a league where talent often dictates outcomes, and the Nets are experiencing the consequences of being undermanned.
Bright Spots Amidst the Struggles
While the overall performance has been disappointing, there are still individual efforts worth noting. Dennis Schröder, for instance, played 29 minutes, contributing 16 points and 10 assists. Shake Milton also had a solid game off the bench, adding 14 points, six rebounds, and six assists. These performances highlight the potential value of veteran players who can still make an impact despite the team’s struggles.
The return of Day’Ron Sharpe is another positive development. Although he only played 16 minutes, Sharpe’s presence on the court is a welcome sight for a team needing rebounding and defensive support. His ability to grab boards and provide a physical presence in the paint will be crucial as the Nets look to stabilize their performance.
Additionally, the emergence of Dariq Whitehead offers a glimmer of hope for the future. Called up from the G-League, Whitehead made an impression by hitting six three-pointers in his first significant minutes. While his G-League stats have been underwhelming, his performance against the Bulls suggests potential could be nurtured with more playing time.
The Nets are in a transitional phase, balancing the need to develop young talent with the immediate demands of the season. As injuries continue to affect the lineup, the team must find ways to integrate players like Whitehead and Sharpe effectively. The goal is to build a cohesive unit that can compete consistently, even when key players are unavailable.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Brooklyn Nets’ current challenges and potential solutions, tune into the Locked On Nets podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Nets Podcast:
- The impact of injuries on the Nets’ playoff prospects
- Evaluating the performance of veteran players like Dennis Schröder and Shake Milton
- The potential role of Day’Ron Sharpe in the Nets’ rotation
- Analyzing the development of young talents like Dariq Whitehead
- The strategic approach to managing player minutes amidst injuries
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) is helped up by center Jay Huff (30) and forward Jaylen Wells (0) during the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum. | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
In mid-November, when the Lakers beat the Grizzlies at home in L.A., it was in large part to the efforts of Dalton Knecht. The rookie was upset that a week before that game the Grizzlies very tidily (to the tune of 131-114) put the Lakers away in Memphis, but more specifically, that Ja Morant challenged LeBron James. Knecht told ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin that Morant said “he was pretty much the new king around here when Bron’s still in the league.”
This is about the Grizzlies, it is, but Knecht’s umbrage was directed at the crucial element that’s powered Memphis for so long, and what’s put them back on top after last year’s wash of a season: outsized confidence.
It’s been called disrespect, showboating, ego, but whatever the Grizzlies are being called is less important than the baseline quality of confidence the labels all spring from and the team embodies. I’ve also found these other monikers telling— like a league temperature check — depending on who is levelling them and as a result of what. In Knecht’s case, he felt it disrespectful that Morant would make such a claim but Morant’s been saying it for seasons now. What started as general agitation and prowess for his own team seasons ago, a means to get an underdog Grizzlies team fired up, worked. It also turned into something greater: Morant hasn’t replaced James yet but the weight of expectation is there, so is the pathway. The side-effect, this time, was giving a rookie like Knecht his “Welcome to the NBA” moment.
The Grizzlies are sitting third in a densely competitive Western Conference, ranked fifth overall in offence and fourth in defence, and they’ve secured these spots despite largely being without Morant, their diamond-in-the-rough of Desmond Bane, and big man Zach Edey. Jaren Jackson Jr. sits comfortably on over a dozen league leaderboards, including points per 36 minutes, field goals per 100 possessions, block percentage and defensive win shares. Scottie Pippen Jr. Is an assist machine with the kind of court vision that usually takes seasons to sharpen; Jay Huff can sharp-shoot the three and the next possession take the ball up for a reverse dunk right in front of LeBron James.
And there’s no slouch in them. All down the roster, despite the injury gaps, Memphis counts seven players who average at least and typically more than 10 points a game. Of those seven, all split their minutes, with Jackson Jr. averaging the most at 29:20 a game. The result is an early depth that not many other teams can rival...
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Feel Good Dariq Whitehead is becoming a success story for the Long Island Nets this season. His progress and potential highlight his journey and impact. Discover his inspiring journey. (NetsDaily)
Injury Day’Ron Sharpe expressed his frustration as his season debut was overshadowed by the Nets’ loss. Read his comments. (NY Post)
Preview Breaking down the NBA Cup: Here’s a primer for the final night of group-stage games. (The Athletic)
Wednesday, Dec. 04 | 7:30 PM | Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY) | Get Tickets
Bucks @ Nets
Sunday, Dec. 08 | 3:30 PM | Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY) | Get Tickets
TBD @ Nets (NBA Cup: Contigent game)
Saturday, Dec. 30 | 12:00 AM | Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY) | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Dejounte Murray’s Poor Shooting Return To Atlanta
Dec 2, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis/Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Injury Updates and Player Returns
As we navigate the NBA season, keeping an eye on player injuries and returns is crucial for fantasy basketball success. Jeremy Sochan is potentially making a comeback, and I recommend adding him in all league formats. Mark Williams is another player to watch, as he’s been upgraded to questionable. While his return isn’t guaranteed, it’s worth considering adding him to your roster. Meanwhile, Draymond Green is listed as questionable, but Steve Kerr has expressed doubts about his availability. This opens up opportunities for Jonathan Kuminga, Kevon Looney, and Trace Jackson-Davis to step up in his absence.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire is buzzing with activity, and it’s essential to stay ahead of the curve. Vasa Micic is the most added player, filling in for the injured LaMelo Ball and Tre Mann. While this isn’t a long-term solution, Micic is a solid pickup until one of them returns. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is another player to consider, especially with the Magic’s favourable schedule. He’s a great streaming option, but don’t expect consistent season-long value. Marcus Smart is also gaining traction, and his recent performances make him a worthy addition.
On the flip side, Isaiah Stewart, Moussa Diabate, and Naji Marshall are among the most dropped players. Stewart’s value is inconsistent, making him an easy drop. Diabate’s minutes are dwindling, and Marshall’s role is uncertain. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Ty Jerome have also seen significant drops, with Jerome’s value plummeting due to Caris LeVert’s return.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Nets podcasts.
Brooklyn Nets swept by the Magic and injuries piling up
The Brooklyn Nets lost Friday and Sunday, both to the Orlando Magic in games where they struggled to even stay competitive. Injuries are becoming a theme for this team, with Dennis Schroder sitting out Friday, Cam Thomas, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Noah Clowney already out.
Brooklyn Nets stun Kevin Durant and the Suns behind Tyrese Martin’s 30 points
The Brooklyn Nets sweep the West Coast trip in very surprising fashion, beating Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns. It was another shocking development in a Nets season that has been completely unexpected.
Brooklyn Nets stun Kevin Durant and the Suns behind Tyrese Martin’s 30 points
The Brooklyn Nets sweep the West Coast trip in very surprising fashion, beating Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns. It was another shocking development in a Nets season that has been completely unexpected.
